Looking to downsize

[jonr]

Long story short but I'm looking to re-engage with analog photography after a decent break (life, COVID, university etc).

I'm starting to think about what will be achievable, affordable and provide little resistance or friction to actually getting started again.
So, downsizing printing stuff to focus on smaller prints and make it cheaper and easier to store etc. Salt printing rather than Pt/Pd etc. In amongst all these thoughts is possible pursuing digital negatives for those times when (if) I want to go a little larger.

So following that I am thinking of selling my SINAR Norma 5x7 (and 6 lenses) and I'm wondering what smaller more compact 4x5 cameras (with 2-3 lenses perhaps) might be a suitable replacement. Mostly non-traditional landscape stuff but I do love a vertical vertical. So maybe a compact monorail over a field camera.

What are some opinions of the Aussie crowd?

[Mick Fagan]

As I understand it, you can convert any Sinar to 4x5, 5x7 or 8x10 by changing to the relevant standards. But I get your point, I have and use a Toyo 45G which while not quite in the same company as Sinar equipment, the bulk is there.

I have a Shen Hao HZX45-IIA, which is still manufactured today and was my choice of light weight wooden folding for a couple of reasons, the most compelling reason was the possibility of rear shift.

I can tackle quite interesting architectural stuff with it, but it isn't in the same league of a monorail. I have the standard bellows as well as a Bag bellows. 65mm through to 250mm is where it shines, focal length wise that is. You could/can push it to 300mm but it isn't in it's comfort zone. It is a very compact camera and folds into a box, rather than a sort of box with bits of metal sticking out here and there.

http://www.shen-hao.com/index.php?s=pro ... show&id=14

[dpattinson]

Well, if you decide that a 4x5 Norma would work for you - I’m looking for a 5x7 rear/back/bellows so I’d be happy to take that off your hands and you could pick up a 4x5 rear/back/bellows to replace it.

[Mick Fagan]

dpattinson,
welcome to the forum.

Mick.